Cartridge loader and methods

ABSTRACT

A device for transporting cartridges comprises a housing for holding a plurality of cartridges in a temperature controlled environment. A transport system is also provided and has a grasping mechanism for grasping one of the cartridges. The transport system is further used to remove the cartridge from the housing and to place the cartridge into a scanner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part application of and claims thebenefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/217,246, filedJul. 10, 2000, the complete disclosure of which is herein incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of automation, and inparticular to the use of automated equipment to transfer items. Morespecifically, the invention relates to the automated transfer of arraycartridges into and out of an imaging apparatus.

1. Polymer Arrays

Methods for using arrays of polymers to identify receptors with specificaffinities for one of the polymers in the array are known. For example,one method uses immobilized antibodies to analyze binding to peptideligands or vice-versa. Another type of method uses immobilizedoligonucleotides to analyze hybridization to a target nucleic acid. Forinstance, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/624,312, filed Mar. 26,1996, the complete disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference, describes apparatus and methods for carrying out repeatedhybridizations of a target nucleic acid to an array of nucleic acidprobes. Such polymer arrays are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,143,854 and published PCT Application Nos. WO90/15070 and WO92/10092,the complete disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.These polymer arrays are nucleic acid arrays which include a pluralityof different polynucleotides coupled to a substrate in different knownlocations.

In one exemplary arrangement, such arrays are packaged within a housingor cartridge, like those described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,334,and in copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 08/624,312,previously incorporated by reference, 08/528,173, filed Sep. 19, 1995,and published PCT Application No. WO95/33846. The disclosures of all ofthese references are herein incorporated by reference. In brief, such acartridge may be constructed of a body having a reaction cavity orhybridization chamber. The array or substrate is mounted over the cavityon the body such that the front side of the array substrate, e.g., theside upon which the polynucleotides are situated, is in fluidcommunication with the cavity. The cartridge includes inlet and outletports to allow various fluids to be introduced into and removed from thehybridization chamber.

2. Imaging

Imaging the polymer arrays may be accomplished, for example, by placingthe cartridges into a scanning device, such as the GeneArray scanner,available from Affymetrix, Inc. Techniques for imaging polymer arraysare described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,834,758 and 5,578,832, the completedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

In many cases, it is desirable to maintain the cartridges in atemperature controlled environment. Hence, a need exists for equipmentand techniques to transfer cartridges from a temperature controlledenvironment for placement into the scanner in an organized and efficientmanner, and for the return of the cartridges to the temperaturecontrolled environment following imaging. Hence, the invention isrelated to apparatus and methods to facilitate imaging of arraycartridges in such a manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a device for transporting cartridges comprises ahousing for holding a plurality of cartridges in a temperaturecontrolled environment. The device further includes a transport systemhaving a grasping mechanism to grasp one of the cartridges, to removethe cartridge from the housing and to place the cartridge into ascanner. In this way, each cartridge remains within a temperaturecontrolled environment until ready for scanning. At such time, thetransport system is employed to remove the cartridge from the housingand to place the removed cartridge into the scanner.

In one aspect, the device further includes a heating station for heatinga cartridge (to prevent fogging) prior to insertion into the scanner. Assuch, the grasping mechanism may be configured to place the graspedcartridge at the heating station prior to placement into the scanner. Inone specific aspect, the heating station may include a fan that isdisposed to blow ambient air onto the cartridge to heat the cartridge.

In another aspect, the device may also include a holding station to holda cartridge after being removed from the scanner. In this way, acartridge that is removed from the scanner may be positioned near thescanner during a cycle where another cartridge is removed from theheating station and placed into the scanner. The cartridge that is heldin the holding station may then be placed back into the housing. In thismanner, the throughput of the device may be increased by reducing theamount of travel by the grasping system while the scanner is idle, i.e.awaiting a new cartridge.

Conveniently, a rack system may be rotatably disposed within the housingand may include a plurality of racks for holding the cartridges. In oneaspect, a plurality of carriers may be provided, with each carrierholding multiple cartridges. In this way, a carrier of cartridges mayconveniently be placed into the housing and coupled to the rack systemsimply by inserting the carrier into one of the racks. Conveniently, abelt may be coupled to the rack system, and a motor may be used torotate the belt, thereby rotating the rack system. By rotating the racksystem, one or more carriers may be aligned with an opening in thehousing to facilitate removal of the cartridges. In a particular aspect,the carriers may each have a bottom end and an open top end, and aplurality of slots for receiving the cartridges in a parallelarrangement. When inserted into the slots, the cartridges extend abovethe top ends of the carriers to facilitate easy gasping and removal fromthe carriers. Further, the rack system may be configured to maintain thetop ends of the carriers generally horizontal during rotation. In thisway, the cartridges will not fall out of the carriers when rotatedwithin the housing. Such a feature may be accomplished by use of beltsthat maintain alignment of the individual racks during rotation by themotor.

In another aspect, the device may include a barcode reader that isdisposed within the housing. In this way, barcode labels on thecartridges may be read as they are removed from and/or placed into thehousing. In one aspect, the grasping mechanism comprises a pair offingers that are movable toward and away from each other to grasp andrelease the cartridges. In still another aspect, the transport systemmay comprise a horizontal lead screw and a first motor to rotate thehorizontal lead screw. With such a configuration, the grasping mechanismmay be coupled to the horizontal lead screw such that rotation of thelead screw translates the grasping mechanism horizontally. Further, avertical lead screw may be provided along with a second motor to rotatethe vertical lead screw. The grasping mechanism may be coupled to thevertical lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw translates thegrasping mechanism vertically. A controller may then be employed tooperate the motors and the grasping mechanism when transporting thecartridges. Conveniently, the housing may include a lid, and an electricmotor may be used to open the lid, such as when receiving a signal fromthe controller. In this way, the housing may remain closed until acartridge is removed from or placed into the housing. Alternatively, thelid may be slid open and closed by some interaction of the horizontaltravelling system and the lid, i.e. the interaction could push the lidto the side.

The invention further provides an alignment mechanism for aligning ascanner with transporting device, such as the transporting device justdescribed. The alignment mechanism comprises a clamping plate that maybe clamped to a portion of the scanner. For example, the alignmentmechanism may be clamped to a pair of feet on the bottom of the scanner.An adjustment plate is slidably coupled to the clamping plate and has atleast one connector that may be connected to the transporting device,thereby coupling the scanner to the transporting device. An alignmentfixture is removably coupled to the adjustment plate and includes an armthat is adapted to be aligned with an entry port of the scanner. In thisway, the scanner may be moved relative to the transport device until thealignment fixture is aligned with the entry port. A securing mechanismmay then be operated to secure the adjustment plate to the clampingplate, thereby fixing the position of the scanner relative to thetransporting device. The alignment fixture may then be removed from theadjustment plate. Alternatively, the transporting device and the scannermay be aligned without the use of an alignment mechanism. Hence, theinvention is not intended to be limited for use only with an alignmentmechanism.

The invention further provides a method for transporting cartridges.According to the method, a plurality of cartridges are placed into atemperature controlled housing. One of the cartridges is grasped andremoved from the housing with a grasping mechanism, moved to the scannerand then placed into the scanner. The grasping mechanism is then openedto deposit the cartridge into the scanner.

In one step, the cartridges are rotated within the housing to aligngroups of the cartridges with an opening in the housing to facilitateremoval of the cartridges. In another step, each cartridge is placed ina warming station prior to being deposited into the scanner. Forexample, ambient air may be blown onto the cartridge to warm thecartridge and preventing fogging of the cartridge when within thescanner. After scanning, the cartridge is removed from the scanner andplaced back into the housing, and another cartridge is placed into thescanner.

In an alternative aspect, to increase throughput the cartridge may beplaced in a holding station after removal of the cartridge from thescanner. For example, one cartridge may be placed into the scanner priorto replacing a removed cartridge that is held within the holding stationback into the housing. In this way, the grasping mechanism may return tothe warming station to find a new cartridge for the scanner afterremoving a cartridge from the scanner. The grasping mechanism may thendeposit the new cartridge into the scanner and return the cartridge thatis held at the holding station back to the housing. While at thehousing, another cartridge may then be removed and placed into thewarming station to complete the cycle. In this way, the amount of travelof the grasping mechanism is minimized while the scanner is sittingidle, i.e. awaiting another cartridge, to increase throughput.

In another step, a barcode label on the cartridge may be read uponremoval of the cartridge from the housing to keep track of whichcartridges have been removed and scanned. In yet another step, thehousing is aligned with the scanner and the housing is secured to thescanner prior to use.

In an alternative embodiment, a method for transporting cartridgescomprises placing a plurality of cartridges into a carrier such that thecartridges extend above the carrier. One of the cartridges is removedfrom the carrier with a grasping mechanism and is moved to the scanner.The cartridge is placed into the scanner, and the grasping mechanism isreleased to deposit the cartridge into the scanner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a carrier shown holding a plurality ofcartridges according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially cut away side view of the carrier and cartridgesof FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the carrier and cartridges of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional end view of the carrier of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of the carrier of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a partial top perspective view of a scanner and an alignmentmechanism that is coupled to the scanner according to the invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the scanner and alignmentmechanism of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a clamping plate and an adjustmentplate of the alignment mechanism of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a cartridge transporting devicethat is coupled to the scanner of FIG. 10 according to the invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a rack system of the transportingdevice of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an partial end view of the rack system of FIG. 14 showing apair of belts employed to rotate the racks.

FIG. 16 illustrates the rack system of FIG. 15 with a single beltarrangement.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a grasping mechanism and vertical leadscrew of the device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the grasping mechanism and verticallead screw of FIG. 17 along with a horizontal lead screw.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a scanner having an alternativecartridge transporting device according to the invention.

FIG. 19B is a more detailed rear perspective view of the scanner of FIG.19A.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the scanner and transporting device of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the scanner and transporting device of FIG.19.

FIG. 22 is an end view of the scanner and transporting device of FIG.19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides for the transport of cartridges into an imagingdevice or scanner where the probe arrays are imaged. The invention maybe used with essentially any type of imaging device or scanner wherecartridges are inserted and processed. Conveniently, such scanners mayutilize the imaging techniques described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,834,758 and5,578,832, previously incorporated by reference, when imaging the probearrays. However, the invention may be utilized with other types ofscanners as well.

The cartridges used with the invention may be utilized in performing avariety of procedures, including, for example, hybridization reactionsand, more specifically, nucleic acid hybridizations, extension oramplification reactions using tethered probes as template or primersequences, screening of receptors against arrays of small molecules,peptides or peptideomimetics, carbohydrates, and the like. Cartridgessuitable for performing such procedures are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,945,334 and in co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 08/624,312 and08/528,173 and PCT Application No. WO95/33846, previously incorporatedherein by reference. However, it will be appreciated that the inventionis not intended to be limited to only these specific types ofcartridges.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of a cartridge 10 that may beinserted into a scanner will be described. Cartridge 10 includes achamber 12 containing a fluid. Cartridge 10 further includes a front 14,a rear 16, and a cavity 12 which is defined in part by a generallyplanar face 18. Positioned across cavity 12 is an array chip (notshown). When the array chip is positioned over cavity 12, ahybridization chamber is formed. The hybridization chamber is generallyrectangular or square in geometry and has a narrow depth as defined bythe distance between planar face 18 and the array chip. Extendingbetween face 18 and the array chip are sides that intersect with eachother to form corners and which further define the chamber. In onespecific embodiment, the distance between face 18 and the array chip maybe in the range from about 0.5 mm to about 2.0 mm. Further, face 18 mayhave a length of about 5 mm to about 15 mm and a width of about 5 mm toabout 15 mm. An inlet port 20 and an outlet port 22 are included in rear16 to allow various fluids to be introduced into and removed from thehybridization chamber. Rear 16 further includes a cavity 24, locatedadjacent the array, which is adapted for receiving a temperaturemonitoring and/or controlling device.

Cartridge 10 includes a pair of sides 26 and 28, a top 30 and a bottom32. Extending from side 28 is an edge 34 that permits insertion ofcartridge 10 into a carrier in only one orientation as describedhereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, an embodiment of a carrier 36 that may beused to hold a plurality of cartridges will be described. Forconvenience of illustration, FIGS. 5-7 illustrate carrier 36 holding aplurality of cartridges 10 that are identical to those just described.Carrier 36 comprises a carrier body 38 having a bottom 40, four sides42, 44, 46 and 48, and a top 50. Extending from the sides is aprojection 52 to facilitate coupling of carrier to a rotation device asdescribed hereinafter. Conveniently, projection 52 may be oversized atside 44 to serve as a handle when inserting and removing carrier fromother equipment. Further, carrier 36 may include a pair of knobs 54 and56 to facilitate locking of carrier 36 within other equipment.

As best shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of walls 58 extend between sides 44and 48. As shown in FIG. 5, walls 58 define pairs of grooves 60 and 62into which cartridges 10 are inserted. Grooves 60 define a generallystraight channel, while grooves 62 include a keyed notch 64 (see alsoFIG. 9). Carrier 10 is configured such that cartridges 10 may bereceived in only one specific orientation. More specifically, edge 34may be received only within notch 64, and only when front 14 is parallelwith side 42. In this way, sides 26 are received into grooves 60, sides28 are received into grooves 62, and tops 30 of cartridges 10 extendabove top 50 of carrier 36, with cartridges 10 each facing the samedirection. In this way, the cartridges 10 will be in the sameorientation when removed from carrier 36. In this manner, the cartridgesmay include a barcode label that is scanned with a fixed barcode readerafter removal from carrier 36.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a scanner 70 that is employed toimage probe arrays contained in cartridges, such as cartridge 10 aspreviously described. Scanner 70 has a top end 72 and a bottom end 74.Top end 72 includes an entry port 76 into which array cartridges areplaced in order to scan the cartridges. Conveniently, scanner 10 may beconstructed in a manner similar to a GeneArray scanner, manufactured byHewlett-Packard, and available from Affymetrix, Inc. Such a scanner isconstructed such that excessive weight placed on top end 72 maycompromise the alignment of the scanner. Accordingly, the inventionprovides a cartridge transport device that may be coupled to scanner 70and employed to transfer cartridges into entry port 76 without placingweight onto top end 72 as described in greater detail hereinafter.

As also shown in FIG. 11, an alignment mechanism 78 is coupled toscanner 70 and serves to couple a cartridge transport device to scanner70 in an aligned configuration. Conveniently, alignment mechanism 78 isconstructed to be attached to a pair of feet 80 and 82 on bottom end 74of scanner 70. In this way, alignment mechanism 78 may be coupled toscanner without posing a threat of damage to the scanner.

Alignment mechanism 78 comprises a clamping plate 84, an adjustmentplate 86, and an alignment fixture 88. Clamping plate 84 and adjustmentplate 86 are also illustrated in FIG. 12. Clamping plate 84 includes afixed arm 90 and a movable arm 92. Fixed arm 90 is configured to beplaced about foot 82 while movable arm 92 may be moved outwardly andmanipulated to be placed around foot 80 as shown in FIG. 11. Whenproperly positioned, a screw 94 is tightened to lock clamping plate 84to feet 80 and 82.

Adjustment plate 86 is coupled to clamping plate 84 so as to permitadjustment plate 86 to be moved relative to clamping plate 84. Morespecifically, a pair of tightening screws 96 and 98 are provided tosecure clamping plate 84 to adjustment plate 86. Screws 96 and 98 arescrewed into blocks 87 and 89 (see FIG. 11). Blocks 87 and 89 may travelin plate 84 in both a back and forth manner, fore and aft and permit aslight degree of yaw of plate 86 relative to plate 84. Adjustment plate86 further includes a pair of slots 100 and 102 which serve a dualfunction. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, slots 100 and 102 permitalignment fixture 88 to be coupled to adjustment plate 86. In this way,after clamping plate 84 is secured to scanner 70, adjustment plate 86may be moved to properly position an arm 104 of alignment fixture 88with entry port 76. When properly aligned, screws 96 and 98 aretightened and alignment fixture 88 is removed from adjustment plate 86.A cartridge transport device may then be secured to slots 100 and 102 tosecurely couple the cartridge transport device with scanner 70.Moreover, by previously aligning arm 104 of alignment fixture 88 withentry port 76, the cartridge transport device will be properly alignedwith scanner 70 so that cartridges may properly be inserted into andremoved from entry port 76 as described hereinafter. Hence, alignmentmechanism 78 provides a convenient way to couple a cartridge transportdevice to scanner 70 without interfering with the operation of scanner70 or compromising the alignment of scanner 70.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a cartridge transport device 106 is showncoupled to scanner 70. For convenience of illustration, alignmentmechanism 78 is not shown in FIG. 13. However, it will be appreciatedthat in operation, clamping plate 84 and adjustment plate 86 will beemployed to couple scanner 70 to cartridge transport device 106 as justdescribed.

Transport device 106 comprises a base 107 that may be coupled toadjustment plate 86 simply by sliding base 107 over adjustment plate 86.Transport device 106 further comprises a housing 108 that defines aninterior 110. Housing 108 is constructed of an insulating material, suchas styrofoam, to help maintain a temperature controlled environmentwithin interior 110. Hidden from view is a thermal Peltier coolingdevice to provide a chilled environment within interior 110. Merely byway of example, interior 110 may be maintained at a temperature in therange from about 5° C. to about 25° C., and more preferably at about 15°C. Also hidden from view is a fan that is disposed within interior 110to circulate air within interior 110 to maintain a generally constanttemperature throughout interior 110.

Disposed within interior 110 is a rack system 112 that is configured tohold a plurality of carriers which each include multiple cartridges asdescribed hereinafter. Conveniently, an opening 114 is provided inhousing 108 to facilitate insertion and removal of the carriers.Although not shown, a cover will be placed over opening 114 when in useto maintain the temperature controlled environment within interior 110.Housing 108 further includes a top opening 116 to provide access intointerior 110 when removing individual cartridges for scanning asdescribed hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 14, operation of rack system 112 will be described ingreater detail. Rack system 112 is constructed of a rotatable drum 118having a pair of annular extensions 120 and 122. A plurality of racks124 are pivotally coupled between annular extensions 120 and 122.Further, a shaft 126 is employed to rotate drum 118. As drum 118rotates, racks 124 pivot relative to extensions 120 and 122 to remaingenerally horizontal at all times.

Each rack 124 comprises a pair of arms 128 and 130. Arm 128 includes ahole 132 and arm 130 includes a hole 134. Each rack 124 is configured tohold a carrier 36 as previously described in connection with FIGS. 5-9.Holes 132 and 134 are offset and are configured to receive knobs 54 and56 of carrier 36 when carrier 36 is inserted between arms 128 and 130.In this way, racks 124 are keyed so that carriers 36 may be inserted andheld in only one orientation, thereby ensuring proper orientation of thecartridges which are held within carriers 36. Further, by configuringracks 124 so that they remain generally horizontal during rotation ofdrum 118, the top ends of carriers 36 also remain horizontal. In thisway, the cartridges will not fall out of carriers 36 during rotation.Further, the cartridges will be at the proper orientation when they areready to be removed and scanned as described hereinafter.

Hence, rack system 112 permits multiple cartridges to be held withininterior 110 and provides a convenient way to advance the cartridgesuntil they are aligned with opening 116 where they will be retrievedfrom housing 110 as described hereinafter. Further, by using standardcarriers, multiple sets of cartridges may easily be inserted intohousing 110 simply by inserting the carriers through opening 114 inhousing 108 and sliding the carriers between arms 128 and 130 of racks124 until knobs 54 and 56 fit into holes 132 and 134.

As also shown in FIG. 14, a support 136 is employed to properly positionrack system 112 within housing 108. Shaft 126 extends through support136, and a motor and belt arrangement (not shown) is employed to rotateshaft 126. As best shown in FIG. 15, a pair of toothed belts 138 and 140are employed to maintain racks 124 generally horizontal during rotationof drum 118. Belts 138 and 140 extend about a plurality of tooth gears142 that in turn are coupled to annular extension 122. A set of idlers144 are also employed to ensure racks 124 remain horizontal. Hence, asdrum 118 is rotated, belts 138 and 140 travel about tooth gears 142,with idlers 144 keeping the appropriate tension to ensure that carriersremain upright during rotation.

An alternative belt arrangement is shown in FIG. 16. In the embodimentof FIG. 16, a single belt 146 is employed. Belt 146 extends around toothgears 142, a pair of idlers 148 and a tensioner 150. Further, althoughshown with a rotating rack system, it will be appreciated that othermechanism may be used to move the cartridge holders to provide access tothe cartridges. For example, the cartridge holders may be translatedwithin the chamber. Furthermore, although a system of belts for rotatingthe rack system has been described, it will be appreciated that otherarrangements may also be used. For example, a system of chains, gears,flexible couplings (such as Oldham couplings), bellows couplings,Helical brand flexible bar couplings and the like may also be used.

Referring now to FIG. 18 in connection with FIG. 13, a transport system152 for moving cartridges between housing 1108 and scanner 70 will bedescribed. Transport system 152 comprises a horizontal support 154 thatis coupled to housing 108. Horizontal support 154 holds a horizontallead screw 156 that is rotated by a DC servo motor 158. Alternatively, astepper motor may be used. Slidably coupled to horizontal support 154 isa grasping mechanism 160 which is also shown in FIG. 17. Graspingmechanism 160 comprises a vertical support 162 that holds a verticallead screw 164. In turn, lead screw 164 is employed to vertically move apair of grasping fingers 166 and 168. Also coupled to support 162 is apneumatic cylinder or electric solenoid 170. Coupled about solenoid 170is a collar 172 through which a rail 174 extends, In turn, rail 174 iscoupled to finger 166 to facilitate movement of finger 166 relative tofinger 168 when solenoid 170 is actuated. Further, a DC servo motor 176(or a stepper motor) is coupled to support 162 and is employed to rotatelead screw 164.

In operation, motor 158 is actuated to turn lead screw 156. This in turnmoves grasping mechanism 160 horizontally side to side depending on thedirection of rotation of lead screw 156. Motor 176 is operated to rotatelead screw 164 to raise or lower grasping fingers 166 and 168 dependingon the direction of rotation of lead screw 164. Solenoid 170 may beactuated to move fingers 166 and 168 relative to each other to grasp orrelease a cartridge depending on the direction of movement of solenoid170. Conveniently, transport device 106 may include a printed circuitboard having controlling circuitry to operate the various motors andsolenoid. Wiring 178 permits an electrical connection between the PCboard and the components of grasping mechanism 160. Similarly, wiring180 provides the appropriate electrical connection between the PC boardand solenoid 170. Similar wiring may be employed for motor 158. A powersupply 185 is also provided to supply power to the various electricalcomponents of transport device 106. As best shown in FIG. 13, fans 182and 184 are employed to cool the power supply.

As previously described, lead screws may be employed to horizontally andvertically translate grasping mechanism 160. However, it will beappreciated that other translation mechanisms may be used as well. Forexample, a system of belts could also be employed.

Referring back to FIG. 13, cartridge transport device 106 furtherincludes a rotary solenoid 186 that is coupled to a lid 188. Solenoid186 is actuated to place lid 188 over opening 116 and to remove lid 188from opening 116. In this way, interior 110 may remain closed until acartridge is ready to be inserted into or removed from housing 110. Atthis point, a signal is sent to rotary solenoid 186 which opens lid 188to permit access into interior 110. Alternatively, a variety of otheropening mechanisms may be employed. For example, lid 188 may beconfigured to slide over opening 116. In such a case, grasping mechanism160 may include a magnet 190 for interacting with corresponding magneton lid 188. In this way, as grasping mechanism 160 is horizontallytranslated, magnet 190 will attach to the magnet on lid 188 to slide lid188 open. Conversely, when grasping mechanism 160 is translated theopposite direction, lid 188 will be pulled across opening 116.

Cartridge transport device 106 further includes a warming station 192for warming cartridge 10 after being removed from housing 110. Warmingof cartridge 10 is desirable in that it helps to eliminate condensationon the cartridge before it enters into scanner 70. Warming station 192includes a fan 194 that is employed to blow ambient air across cartridge10 to warm cartridge 10 before entering scanner 70.

Disposed adjacent entry port 76 is a holding station 196 that isemployed to hold one of cartridges 10 after it has been removed fromscanner 70. Holding station 196 is optional and serves to increase thethroughput of cartridges that are scanned with scanner 70 as describedhereinafter.

In operation, rack system 112 is employed to align a set of cartridges10 which are held within a carrier 36 with opening 116. Graspingmechanism 160 is then positioned over opening 116 using lead screw 156.Grasping mechanism 160 is lowered into housing 110 using lead screw 164until grasping fingers 166 and 168 are disposed on either side of one ofthe cartridges 10. Solenoid 170 is then actuated to move graspingfingers 166 and 168 together to grasp the cartridge. The cartridge isthen raised from housing 110 by rotating lead screw 164 in the oppositedirection. Conveniently, cartridge 10 may include a barcode label whichidentifies the particular cartridge. Further, a barcode reader (notshown) may be disposed within housing 110 to read the barcode label asthe cartridge is being removed from housing 108. Use of carriers 36 isadvantageous in that they properly align the cartridges so that thelabel may be read by the barcode reader and so that the cartridges willbe in the proper orientation when being inserted into entry port 76 ofscanner 70.

After cartridge 10 has been removed from housing 108, it is taken towarming station 192 where it is warmed by air produced from fan 194.After sufficient warming, cartridge 10 is again grasped by graspingmechanism 160 and moved into entry port 76 of scanner 70. Followingscanning, grasping mechanism 160 is employed to remove cartridge 10 fromscanner 70. Grasping mechanism 160 may then be moved back over opening116, to place cartridge 10 back into housing 108 after lid 188 has beenopened.

Alternatively, to reduce the cycle time, the cartridge may be placedinto holding station 196 after exiting scanner 70. In this way, afterdepositing cartridge 10 in holding station 196, grasping mechanism 160may be moved back to warming station 194 to remove a cartridge that hadpreviously been placed into warming station 194. Cartridge 10 is thenremoved from warming station 194 and placed into entry port 76 ofscanner 70 allowing scanning to commence. Grasping mechanism 160 thengrasps the cartridge that is held within holding station 196 and returnsit back to housing 108. Grasping mechanism 160 then removes anothercartridge from housing 108 and places it into the empty warming station.Grasping mechanism 160 is then moved back to warming station 194 wherethe above described process is repeated. In this way, the operation ofgrasping mechanism 160 is partially overlapped with scanning to increasethe number of cartridges that may be scanned within a given time period.

The PC board may be configured to control all of the operations so thatscanning takes place in a fully automated manner. Conveniently, acomputer having a display screen may be coupled to the PC board and mayinclude a networking interface to permit convenient interaction with thescanner and transport device. Further, the host computer may includeappropriate display screens to permit manual operation of any of theabove steps and to permit tracking of a specific cartridge based on thebarcode information.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-22, an alternative embodiment of a cartridgetransport system 200 that may be used with scanner 70 will be described.System 200 comprises an alignment plate 202 that is secured to fit ontop end 72 of scanner 70 as shown. Plate 202 includes an opening 204that is configured to be placed about entry port 76 when plate 202 isproperly positioned. Extending from plate 202 is a vertical lift shaft206 and a guide shaft 208. Disposed about shaft 208 is a cam follower210 having a pair of arms 212 and 214 for grasping cartridge 10. Shaft206 may be constructed as a lead screw and may be coupled to a motor207. In this way, rotation of shaft 206 causes arms 212 and 214 to bevertically raised and lowered to permit cartridge 10 to be depositedinto and withdrawn from entry port 76. Further, vertical movement may beused to insert cartridges 10 into and from carrier 36. Shaft 208 isconfigured as a hexagonal shaft and is rotated by a motor 209. In thisway, rotation of shaft 208 causes arms 212 and 214 to move relative toeach other to permit grasping and releasing of one of the cartridges.Conveniently, one of arms 212 or 214 may be rounded while the other isserrated to facilitate grasping of cartridges 10. Optionally, a sensor222 may be provided to detect when cartridge 10 has been properlygrasped.

Also coupled to scanner 70 is a track 216 to which a carrier frame 218is coupled. Frame 218 is configured to hold a carrier 36 which in turnholds a set of cartridges 10 as shown. Frame 218 is slidable along track216 to permit carrier 36 to be moved relative to arms 212 and 214 whenan appropriate cartridge needs to be removed from or inserted intocarrier 36. Conveniently, a motor (not shown) may be used to translateframe 218 horizontally along track 216. Although shown holding twocarriers 36, it will be appreciated that in operation only a singlecarrier 36 may be used.

In operation, carrier 36 is moved along track 216 until a first one ofthe cartridges 10 is aligned with arms 212 and 214. Shaft 206 is thenrotated to lower arms 212 and 214 until positioned about the firstcartridge. Shaft 208 may then be rotated to move arms 212 and 214 closetogether until they grasp the cartridge. Carrier 36 may then be movedalong track 216 so as to be clear of entry port 76. Lead screw 206 isrotated to lower cartridge 10 into entry port 76. Shaft 208 is rotatedto release arms 212 and 214. Following scanning, the reverse procedureis followed to remove cartridge 10 from scanner 70 and to place it backinto carrier 36. The process is then repeated for the remainingcartridges within carrier 36.

Hence, the invention provides exemplary techniques for transportingcartridges to and from a scanner. Conveniently, the invention mayutilize standardized carriers that hold a number of cartridges that maybe stored in a cool chamber. A two-axis robot may be employed to movethe cartridges to and from the scanner, a warming station, and a holdingstation. A local operator interface and network connection may beprovided to a host work station to facilitate operation of the transportsystem.

Use of the cartridge carriers is advantageous in that they provide astandardized way to hold the multiple cartridges. Further, the cartridgecarriers may include keyed slots to prevent reverse installation. Use ofthe housing having a chilled chamber permits storage of the cartridgesfor several hours prior to scanning. However, it will be appreciatedthat in some embodiments, a temperature controlled chamber may not beneeded. Following removal, the warming station may be used to eliminatecondensation on the cartridge before its insertion into the scanner.Also, use of the robot allows automated movement of the cartridgesbetween the carriers and the various stations in the scanner.Conveniently, a barcode scanner may be employed to identify thecartridge contents to the host computer. In one aspect, a connection maybe made to the transport system using a network interface, and a localuser interface may be incorporated to facilitate loading and unloadingof the cartridges. Further, a non-intrusive alignment mechanism may beused to non-intrusively couple to the scanner. The alignment mechanismmay then be used as the sole contact for alignment between the cartridgeloader and the scanner. Conveniently, the cartridge loader may beconfigured to be relatively small in size so as to fit on a bench topand be installable by a single person.

The invention has been described in detail for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changes andmodifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: one or more probe arraysthat are disposed on one or more substrates; one or more housingsconfigured and arranged to house the probe arrays; a carrier configuredand arranged to hold the housings such that the substrates are disposedin a generally vertical orientation; a scanner configured and arrangedto scan one or more of the probe arrays; and a transporter configuredand arranged to transport the probe arrays directly from the carrier tothe scanner; wherein the carrier is configured and arranged to advancebetween transportation of first and second probe arrays from the carrierto the scanner.
 2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the carrier isconfigured to hold the housings spaced apart from each other.
 3. Asystem as in claim 1, wherein the transporter comprises a graspingmechanism.
 4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the carrier has a bottomend and an open top end, and a plurality of slots that are configured toreceive the housings.
 5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the transporteris configured to move the probe arrays in an axial or radial directionfrom the carrier and into the scanner.
 6. A system as in claim 1,further comprising a barcode reader disposed to read a barcodeassociated with at least one probe array.
 7. A system as in claim 6,wherein the barcode reader is disposed within or coupled to the scanner.8. A system as in claim 6, wherein at least one substrate is associatedwith a bar code to uniquely identify one or more probe arrays disposedon the substrate.
 9. A system as in claim 8, wherein the bar code isdisposed on the substrate.
 10. A system as in claim 8, wherein thebarcode is disposed on a housing that houses the substrate.
 11. A systemas in claim 1, wherein the grasping mechanism comprises a pair offingers that are movable toward and away from each other.
 12. A systemas in claim 1, further comprising a controller to control thetransporter.
 13. An apparatus, comprising: a carrier that is configuredand arranged to hold a plurality of housings, wherein each housing isconfigured and arranged to include one or more substrates and one ormore probe arrays that are disposed on the substrates, and wherein thecarrier is further configured and arranged to hold each of thesubstrates in a generally vertical orientation; a scanner that isconfigured and arranged to scan one or more of the probe arrays; and atransporter configured and arranged to transport the probe arraysdirectly from the carrier to the scanner; wherein the carrier isconfigured and arranged to advance between transportation of first andsecond probe arrays from the carrier to the scanner.
 14. An apparatus asin claim 13, wherein the transporter is configured to move the probearrays in an axial or radial direction from the carrier and into thescanner.
 15. An apparatus as in claim 13, further comprising a barcodereader disposed to read a barcode associated with at least one probearray.
 16. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein the barcode reader isdisposed within or coupled to the scanner.
 17. An apparatus as in claim13, wherein at least one substrate is associated with a bar code touniquely identify one or more probe arrays disposed on the substrate.18. An apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the bar code is disposed on thesubstrate.
 19. An apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the barcode isdisposed on a housing that houses the substrate.
 20. A method fortransporting probe arrays, the method comprising: providing a scanner;providing a carrier that holds a plurality of housings, wherein eachhousing includes one or more substrates and one or more probe arraysthat are disposed on the substrates, and wherein the carrier holds eachof the substrates in a generally vertical orientation; transporting oneor more of the housings having the probe arrays using a transporter tothe scanner for loading into the scanner; and removing the housinghaving the probe array from the scanner, returning the housing havingthe probe array to the carrier and moving another housing having anotherprobe array into the scanner using the transporter.
 21. A method as inclaim 20, further comprising the step of maintaining the housings in aspaced apart configuration using the carrier to permit access to eachhousing by the transporter.
 22. A method as in claim 20, wherein thecarrier has a bottom end and an open top end, and a plurality of slotsthat are configured to receive the housings, and further comprisingtransporting the probe arrays in an axial direction from the carrier andinto the scanner.
 23. A method as in claim 20, further comprisingadvancing the carrier to align the next housing array with thetransporter.
 24. A method as in claim 20, further comprising reading abarcode label associated with the probe array to identify the probearray.
 25. A method as in claim 20, further comprising moving thehousing having the probe array in an axial direction from the carrierand into the scanner.
 26. A method as in claim 20, further comprisingmoving the housing having the probe array directly from the carrier andinto the scanner.